Beverage Keg Cooler Cover

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of a flexible, reflective, insulating beverage keg cover. The cover is comprised of a metallized biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (Metallized boPET) material ( 1 ), an open bottom ( 4 ), and an aperture on top ( 2 ). The aperture ( 2 ) provides an opening through which a beverage keg tap ( 3 ) can protrude to allow for beverage dispensation while the cover coaxially covers a beverage keg ( 15 ). Metallized boPET material is light, flexible, insulating, and reflects radiant heat, making the cover easy to use while helping to extend the period of time during which a beverage keg can be kept cool while away from a refrigeration source. Other embodiments are described.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Field of Endeavor

This invention relates generally to beverage cooler covers, more particularly to such covers which are used on beverage kegs.

Background Art

Portable beverage containers, such as beer kegs, commonly need a means to keep them cool when away from a refrigeration source.

Kegs placed within a relatively higher ambient temperature (such as outdoors during social events, parties, picnics, etc.) will warm over time. This temperature increase can negatively affect the taste and quality of the beverage within the keg.

This problem has been partially solved by the use of cooler devices, but these have presented and still present significant issues.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,344 to Livingston et al. (1989) discloses a type of thermally insulated cooler, however it incorporates a complex zipper design and multiple layers of bulky insulation. Additionally, lifting the heavy weight of a keg to insert it into the cooler might be too difficult for some people, rendering the cooler virtually useless.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,460 to DeMarco et al. (1993) discloses a fabric keg cover, yet it involves a burdensome and time consuming process to apply and remove it.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,217 to Miller (2000) is another type of cooler, however it requires air inflation and a substantial amount of ice to aid in its function.

Attempts to solve the cooler problem have resulted in devices that ultimately come up short.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a cooler cover comprises a thin cover made of silver-colored metallized biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (Metallized boPET) material that slides over the top of a half barrel keg. An aperture at the top provides an opening through which a beverage keg tap can protrude to allow for beverage dispensation. The cover helps extend the period of time during which a beverage keg can be kept cool while away from a refrigeration source.

SUMMARY—ADVANTAGES

Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide cooler covers that are lightweight, flexible, simple to use, and help extend the period of time during which a beverage keg can be kept cool while away from a refrigeration source. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cooler cover placed on and wrapped around a beverage keg

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the cooler cover placed on and wrapped around a beverage keg

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the cooler cover laid flat

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the cooler cover laid flat

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of cooler cover components

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

1—cover material

2—aperture

3—beverage keg tap

4—open bottom

5—piece of adhesive tape

6—sealed edge

7—piece of adhesive tape

8—piece of adhesive tape

9—sealed edge

10—piece of adhesive tape

13—sheet of material

14—sheet of material

15—half barrel beverage keg

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1,2,3,4, AND 5

One embodiment of the cover is illustrated in FIG. 1 (perspective view). The cover is of a material 1 that is flexible and insulating. The material 1 is shaped such that it covers a keg and includes an opening 4 on the bottom, and an aperture 2 on the top. A beverage keg tap 3 can protrude through the aperture 2. In one embodiment, the material 1 is a thin, reflective material such as a silver-colored metallized biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (Metallized boPET). However, the material 1 can consist of any other substance that is flexible and insulative. Typically, the material 1 is a Metallized boPET substance of a roughly 15 micron thickness.

FIG. 5 (exploded view) illustrates cover components including a Metallized boPET rectangular sheet 13, a similarly sized Metallized boPET rectangular sheet 14, a piece of tape 5, a piece of tape 7, a piece of tape 8, and a piece of tape 10.

FIG. 3 (front view) illustrates the orthogonally shaped cover when flattened. The Metallized boPET rectangular sheet 13 and the Metallized boPET rectangular sheet 14 are sealed together via a heat sealed edge 6, and a heat sealed edge 9. The piece of tape 5 and the piece of tape 7 are affixed at the ends of the heat sealed edge 6. The piece of tape 8 and the piece of tape 10 are affixed at the ends of the heat sealed edge 9. The tape provides reinforcement at the edges of the heat seals. The open bottom 4 is illustrated towards the bottom, and the aperture 2 is illustrated towards the top. FIG. 4 (rear view) illustrates these cover components from the reverse side.

Typically, the Metallized boPET rectangular sheet 13, and the Metallized boPET rectangular sheet 14 measure roughly 66.04 cm (26.00 in)×86.36 cm (34.00 in) (oblong shape). The heat sealed edge 6 and the heat sealed edge 9 typically have a width measuring roughly 0.64 cm (0.25 in). The piece of tape 5, the piece of tape 7, the piece of tape 8, and the piece of tape 10 typically measure 0.64 cm (0.25 in)×2.54 cm (1.00 in) (oblong shape). Typically, the opening 4 measures roughly 86.36 cm (34.00 in) and the aperture 2 measures roughly 15.24 cm (6.00 in).

FIG. 2 (side view) illustrates the material 1 covering a beverage keg 15, the open bottom 4, the aperture 2, and the beverage keg tap 3 protruding through the aperture 2.

Operation

The manner of using the cover is generally as follows. The opening 4 is pulled down over the beverage keg 15, while also guiding the beverage keg tap 3 through the aperture 2, until the beverage keg 15 is covered. Optionally, as illustrated in Fig.1 (perspective view), one can wrap any projecting material 1 around the beverage keg 15 to achieve a streamlined visual appearance. Optionally, any projecting material 1 that extends farther than the bottom of the beverage keg 15 (as illustrated in FIG. 2), can be tucked under the beverage keg 15.

To remove the cover, one would simply pull it up and off of the beverage keg tap 3 and the beverage keg 15. If during operation one chose to tuck any material 1 under the beverage keg 15, they would simply untuck the material 1, then simply pull the cover up and off of the beverage keg tap 3 and the beverage keg 15.

Additional Embodiments

The material 1 could be comprised of a gold-colored metallized biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (Metallized boPET).

The Metallized boPET rectangular sheet 13, and the Metallized boPET rectangular sheet 14 could measure roughly 66.04 cm (26.00 in)×60.96 cm (24.00 in) (oblong shape), to accommodate a slim quarter barrel beverage keg.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of the cover become evident:

-   -   (a) A significant amount of radiant heat can be reflected with         the use of Metallized boPET, thus helping to maintain a keg's         desired temperature for a longer period of time.     -   (b) Slowed heat transfer into the air space around the keg can         be achieved with the use of Metallized boPET as an insulative         barrier, thus helping to maintain a keg's desired temperature         for a longer period of time.     -   (c) The lightweight cover can be easily transported.     -   (d) The cover can be folded into a compact shape for efficient         storage.     -   (e) Due to the water and spill resistant properties of         Metallized boPET, the cover can reduce the need for cover         cleaning and maintenance related to use.     -   (f) Application and removal can be fast and simple.     -   (g) A single cover can function on a variety of keg sizes.     -   (h) Potential for low cost of production could make an effective         cooler accessible to many people.     -   (i) The cover can be reused.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the cover of various embodiments can be used to efficiently extend the period of time during which a beverage keg can be kept cool while away from a refrigeration source, be easy to apply, and be easy to remove. In addition, the cover can function on a variety of keg sizes and can be reused. Furthermore, utilization of the Metallized boPET material has the additional advantages in that:

-   -   it permits the cover to be lightweight     -   it permits the cover to be folded into a compact shape for         storage     -   it permits the cover to be water and spill resistant

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing descriptions of some of several embodiments. For example, the cover can be of different sizes, the tape can be of different sizes, the opening and aperture made to different measurements, the heat sealed edges can be tape sealed edges, the cover be made of different materials, etc.

Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

I claim:
 1. An insulating configuration of a sufficient size to accommodate a beverage keg, comprising: (a) a cover of a flexible, reflective material shaped around a hollow having an open bottom and a closed top (b) an aperture in said closed top whereas said cover coaxially covers said beverage keg and said aperture accommodates a protruding beverage keg tap allowing for beverage dispensation.
 2. The configuration of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of a metallized biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate material.
 3. The configuration of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of two sheets of material joined together.
 4. The configuration of claim 1 wherein said cover employs a plurality of adhesive tape reinforcements.
 5. The configuration of claim 1 wherein said open bottom is approximately the full width of said cover.
 6. The configuration of claim 1 wherein said aperture is smaller in dimension than the dimension of said open bottom.
 7. The configuration of claim 1 wherein said aperture is a slit.
 8. An insulating, spill resistant beverage keg configuration, comprising: (a) a hollow cover of a moisture repelling material having an open bottom and a closed top (b) an aperture in said closed top whereas said cover coaxially covers said beverage keg, providing an insulating, moisture repelling barrier between said beverage keg and an ambient environment, and said aperture accommodates a protruding beverage keg tap.
 9. The configuration of claim 8 wherein said cover is comprised of a metallized biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate material.
 10. The configuration of claim 8 wherein said cover is comprised of two sheets of material joined together.
 11. The configuration of claim 8 wherein said cover employs a plurality of adhesive tape reinforcements. 